shannamarie

yep, at Hillcrest. It's good to sort of meet someone who's gone through the program I am. In town I know my aunt who went with Dr. Scott but have never known anyone else. She's doing great though like 7 years out so that's good to know!

Cool, did you go to GHS? That's who I'm with, using Dr. Scott.

Because it's not sustainable. Diet after diet after diet, up and down up and down, sure it works temporarily but it's not sustainable. The surgery gives you a period of time where you're almost forced to comply, and the idea is to hopefully form new habits and a real lifestyle change in that time period. Your body also goes through physiological changes that normal 'diets' don't do.

I'm in Greenville, SC

I signed my consent forms yesterday and the NP and surgeon sent in prescriptions to have on hand for after surgery. I've ordered several different sampler packs of protein supplements to get me started after surgery. I got the large sampler pack from here, a variety pack of Iso100 drinks, and a sample pack from Unjury. I also have a list of stuff to get at Walmart to have on hand, such as juven powder, mucinex, allergy medication for post-nasal drip, stool softener/laxative.. etc. I'm about to make a list of things I should do before surgery, too. Any other ideas or things I'm missing?? 11 days to go!

That's exactly what I have, both kinds you mentioned. I loooove the Outshine ones so much. It's weird how those 10 extra calories over the Popsicle brand makes the Outshine ones so much better!

I have noticed everyone mentions that too! and a phone charger, heating pad, extension cord. Those sound pretty handy based on my experience sitting with others in hospital.

Oh I forgot to mention those! I do have several kinds of bone broth, lots of Crystal Lite and Powerade Zero. I have some sugar-free popsicles too, but will probably need more by then. Thanks!!

that's almost the same as our dynamic lol! he's so excited lately because he's been working on bulking up a little lifting weights and up-ing his caloric intake with protein shakes and he's gained up to about 130. I may be oblivious but I haven't noticed any blatant flirting with me right there. I watched him from our vehicle many times checking out at CVS and noticed the checkout girl just beaming every time he came up but that didn't bother me much after I went in with him once. She was just a kid with a little crush. I don't worry about him anyways! HE notices people looking at my butt or boobs though, like all the time. and I'm TOTALLY oblivious those times usually!

So I had my first weigh in for my month long pre-op Optifast diet this afternoon and it appears I GAINED 2 lbs since Saturday. My logical side is telling me it was the end of the day, I drank 60 oz plus 3 shakes throughout the day, plus a shower just an hour before weighing in. Plus I've started lifting weights the last 3 days which I realized can cause water retention while the muscles heal. Plus it wasn't a full week since we started on Saturday. I'm sure I'm doing fine but it was still a bit discouraging after being hungry all day the last 4 days. I'm supposed to lose about 20 lbs or they "may postpone surgery." I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't lift weights until after surgery then? I just wanted to get some strength so I'm stronger to do more exercise in general but I guess it doesn't have to be about that just yet. anybody dealt with something similar?

it did even out; I lost 10 lbs by my next weigh in! Now it's almost time for my 3rd and I'll be starting my period next week so it's probably going to appear up on the scale again due to bloat. but at least I know that'll go down on its own!

I'm pretty sure your cup size absolutely will change. I am pre-op, but several years ago I lost about 80 lbs (briefly) on my own and I went down several cup sizes. I'm also short and 'well-endowed' (5'1" DDD or more currently, depending on manufacturer/brand). When I lost that weight before I got down to just one D and a much smaller band. That was only about half the weight I needed to lose, too! They had started looking kinda like chicken skin bags if they weren't in a bra. I don't care though, I'd much rather get off my meds and be healthy and wear special garments until I can get skin removed later on. 💜 good luck to you!

I feel you on these, especially the husband thing. My husband has the total opposite problem that I have in that he is underweight (at times to the point family tease him about being a crackhead) so I totally get it - walking with him makes me feel like we're a sideshow or something. I don't go to his work gatherings either, and they do cool stuff sometimes like bowling and adult go-karting!

More great ideas, thanks! I haven't tried Pilates, it kind of intimidates me, I'm not very limber or coordinated. But I guess you gotta start somewhere!

That's a great idea I think! Lots to work with after all haha The nurse didn't seem to think much of it at all so I should chill. I hope your team is understanding of the steroids affect!

mine is 70. but I haven't had surgery yet so I can't tell you about my success yet! Previously I briefly lost down to 220 and with my body shape and bone structure I was hella cute and pretty happy with that, so my goal for surgery is to get to 200 and reassess. BMI be damned after all that work!

I can't imagine going through such big decisions twice! Good luck to you!

um.. f it here goes. wiping my butt front to back after I lose enough to reach around instead of under and through! 😎

Surgery twins!

oh right I think I forgot to say I'm July 23! Time is flying by.

I keep reading similar stories and I just feel like I'm so lucky to have the program in my area that I joined. It's completely comprehensive and they have most things in-house, or if not, they definitely send you somewhere. They even have a little store with vitamins and shakes and low calorie stuff right there too. I'm sorry you're having a rough time of it

True, I was constipated often before.. I do prefer this. Yes a whole month. It's weird how much programs vary.

me, in the form of the squirts! (sorry). I've been adding Benefiber to stuff. I'm doing Optifast 800 + one food meal per day and I'm on the toilet like 5 times a day so far. Only day 4 of an entire month of this sooo this is gonna be great! 😎

you're probably right! I have to go in once a week for a weigh-in and class where they'll teach about post-op stuff.

Basically it's 5 optifast products (soups, shakes, bars) and 1 food meal per day. Mostly shakes - soups and bars are limited to one of either per day. My dietitian also made one of my shake products one with extra protein because my muscle mass isn't so great. Details in the attachment!